Was looking at my built tigers last night and noticed a mix of muzzle breaks that I have installed AKA small and large. What tigers used the small muzzle and which used the large ?? I have a few more Dragon Tigers in my stash and am curious.

Overall though, do you have an initial verdict on how well did Trumpeter did their research when making this kit? I have seen some of the glaring errors they've made that you've pointed out. Is this still a fairly decent kit despite the feedback?

I ask because I have about 5 Dragon Tiger Is in the stash and some of the issues in the kit might be addressed by the spares bin. If the basic kit is still dimensionally accurate and its cheap SRP applies in my country, I might go ahead and get it.

It's not yet possible to get hold of one. I'm just pointing out what I can see in the first preview photos. Trumpeter may correct the errors, for all I know (but they've said otherwise).

David

Hi David,

My apologies for going off topic regarding the muzzle brake, but I have a Tiger I question for the Tiger expert:

My question is regarding Tiger Is in Normandy, more specifically in Villers-Bocage. I was wondering what the latest consensus was regarding turret number colours on vehicles 205, 212, 213? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Most sources say that, but some are insisting it might be yellow numbers. Iím personally not sure either way but I am in the process of doing Tiger 212. Any ideas why the majority believe itís red with a white outline?

For one thing, in B&W photos the darker color would indicate red rather than yellow.

Correct, and Iím having trouble because the photo of the tigers moving up the hill shows lighter numbers in black and white. Basically all sources and kit manufacturers seem to do red and white number decals for these tigers, but the B&W pics show light numbers.

For one thing, in B&W photos the darker color would indicate red rather than yellow.

That's correct if the photographer used panchromatic film. However, orthochromatic film was still common in the 1930's and 40's, and this film was essentially blind to the middle of the visible spectrum, meaning that yellow photographed black, and the apparent tones of red and blue were reversed. Add the further variables of lense filters, and interpreting black and white photographs becomes fiendishly difficult.

For one thing, in B&W photos the darker color would indicate red rather than yellow.

That's correct if the photographer used panchromatic film. However, orthochromatic film was still common in the 1930's and 40's, and this film was essentially blind to the middle of the visible spectrum, meaning that yellow photographed black, and the apparent tones of red and blue were reversed. Add the further variables of lense filters, and interpreting black and white photographs becomes fiendishly difficult.

This is more sad news for my tiger. Iíll end up having to paint the turret numbers in a rainbow. A source I trust a great deal says they were yellow but most references indicate red and white. I guess itís possible that light red would appear the same as yellow on film, if it was either produced as light red or faded over time.